Tauscher recently announced her resignation as under secretary of arms control and international security under Secretary of State Hillary Clinton, saying she wanted time to pursue other projects including advocacy for cancer patients. The former Alamo resident was named to the high-ranking post in mid-2009 after serving 13 years in Congress. She successfully battled esophageal cancer in 2011.

Tauscher will continue to consult the State Department on Russian-U.S. negotiations.

At the Scowcroft Center, Tauscher will join friend and colleague, retired Gen. James Jones, also a former national security advisor to President Barack Obama.

Here’s what she told Politico.com for its playbook: “TAUSCHER, who won a tough battle with esophageal cancer last year , told us she’ll remain in Washington and continue her cancer advocacy work: “The worst thing anybody can do when you get the tough news that you’ve got cancer is to actually go to the Internet, because it will blow your mind and it will scare you to death … So, for you and your family, it’s important to have a source of good information, serious and sober information … I want to … also advocate for earlier endoscopes … [L]ike Katie Couric talks about colon cancer, this is something not to scare people but to raise awareness … [T]he scary thing isn’t want somebody tells you; it’s what you don’t know. Early treatment is still the best cure for any kind of cancer.”

Click through to read the Atlantic Council’s press release and Tauscher’s email to family, friends and colleagues.

Atlantic Council Names The Honorable Ellen Tauscher as Vice Chair of Scowcroft Center on International Security

February 08, 2012

WASHINGTON – The Atlantic Council today appointed The Honorable Ellen Tauscher as Vice Chair-designate of the Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security, which will be inaugurated later this year. The State Department announced yesterday that Tauscher has stepped down as Under Secretary of State for Arms Control and International Security, but that she will continue to provide expert advice to the State Department on arms control, missile defense, and civil nuclear cooperation.

Tauscher brings to the Atlantic Council a range of experience in nonproliferation, arms control, arms transfers, and other key international security issues through her more than fifteen years in public service. “Ellen is one of America’s most respected and capable leaders. The Atlantic Council is very fortunate to have her involved in the Scowcroft Center,” said Senator Chuck Hagel, chairman of the board of the Atlantic Council.

Said General James L. Jones (Ret.), former national security advisor to President Obama and director-designate of the Scowcroft Center, “Ellen brings just the sort of expertise we need at the founding moment of the Scowcroft Center, including impressive knowledge of an array of strategic issues that are crucial to the future of NATO and global security.”

Tauscher will continue to serve the State Department on a part-time basis, working on strategic security issues in the United States’ relationship with the Russia Federation. Following Senate confirmation, Tauscher was sworn in as Under Secretary in June 2009. She previously represented California’s tenth Congressional District for thirteen years in the US House of Representatives, and was the only member of Congress to have two national defense laboratories in her district. She chaired the House Armed Services Subcommittee on Strategic Forces and was a senior member of the House Committee on Transportation and Infrastructure. She also chaired the New Democrat Coalition, a group of more than sixty centrist House Democrats. Before her public service career, Tauscher worked for fourteen years in the private sector, and was one of the first women to hold a seat on the New York Stock Exchange.

Upon its formal launch later this year, the Atlantic Council’s Brent Scowcroft Center on International Security will pay tribute to former two-time US National Security Advisor Brent Scowcroft by significantly expanding the Council’s capacity to provide thought leadership on the current and future global security challenges facing the Atlantic community and other regional allies and partners. Building on the Atlantic Council’s nonpartisan tradition and rich transatlantic heritage, the Center will bring new global partners into analysis and policy debates. The addition of Secretary Tauscher to this effort will allow the Atlantic Council to work even more closely with the defense and foreign policy establishments of the United States and its allies.

Secretary Tauscher will serve as Vice Chair with Mr. George Lund, Chairman of Torch Hill Investments. The Scowcroft Center Chairman-designate is General James L. Jones (Ret.).

Email from Tauscher to friends and family:

February 7, 2012

Dear Colleagues,

I am writing to let you know that after nearly three years as Under Secretary and 13 years as a Member of Congress, I have accepted a new position that will allow me to serve my country while giving me greater flexibility to pursue other issues important to me, including work related to cancer patient care and recovery, and to transition back to the private sector. I also am hoping to see more of my family, who have been incredibly supportive of my public service.

I am honored that Secretary Clinton has asked me to remain as the Special Envoy for Strategic Stability and Missile Defense. In that role, I will continue to co-chair the Arms Control and International Security Working Group with Russian Deputy Foreign Minister Rybakov. Securing Russian cooperation on missile defense will remain at the top of the Administration’s agenda because of its critical importance to U.S.-Russian relations. I also will continue to work on advancing civil nuclear cooperation agreements worldwide to promote U.S. nonproliferation and commercial goals.

As many of you know, I battled esophageal cancer for nearly a year. I deeply appreciated your notes of support and prayers during my illness and recovery. Although I am cancer-free, the experience reinforced the importance of spending time with those you love.

I know that the T Family will continue to prosper and produce results that are unmatched by other bureaus and agencies. I am proud of all that we have accomplished during the past three years. Our country is safer and the world is a less dangerous place because of your hard work and dedication.

This decision was not easy, but I am happy and reassured to know that our national security remains in the your capable and dedicated hands.

I am pleased that Assistant Secretary Rose Gottemoeller will be the Acting Under Secretary. As those in AVC know, Rose is a leader who cares equally about both people and policy. Her knowledge of our issues is second to none. She will be terrific. My staff will stay on to support her and continue to work with all of you.

Thank you again for three great and productive years and I look forward to your future success.

Tauscher looks nothing like the lady who ran for Congress a decade ago. Has she had plastic surgery or botox treatment? Her hair is a different color, is she in a disguise for this photo? Tauscher has completely altered her looks it appears to me. Has the Times really checked out if this is really Tauscher or not. Could be an imposter, doesn’t look Tauscher to me!

Lisa Vorderbrueggen

Lars54: You have put both of your feet in your mouth big time.

Yes, this is Ellen Tauscher. I was there when this photo was taken. Her appearance is different because surgeons surgically rebuilt her esophagus after she was diagnosed with cancer and had lost a good deal of weight.

Ralph Hoffmann

Lara54: You are ridiculous! Ellen Tauscher is a brave woman who has contributed much to our Country as a true public servant.

Lars54

Oops, I would agree I have made a spectacle of myself with my crass remarks, I’ve been meaning to retire as crackpot blogger anyway, you won’t have Lars54 to kick around anymore, that’s it, I’m a goner, I am going to resurface under another name, thanks.